Navy: He received the four coastal patrol cars “Mantuvalos”, “Galanis”, “Liascos” and “Yalopsos”

The Minister of National Defence, attended today, Monday, January 2025, as representative of the President of the Government, at the naming ceremony of four Coastal Patrol (PW) vessels of the type “Island” that received the , which took place at Salamis Shipyards. The four vessels that will strengthen the Greek Navy received the names: “Mandouvalos”, “Galanis”, “Liascos”, “Yalopsos” while for their choice, Nikos Dendias stated that “it is interwoven with our history, paying tribute to heroes who have deposited the most precious good, their lives, in favor of Patridos” ADVERSE The ceremony was also attended by members of the civilian and military leadership of the Armed Forces, honorary leaders and active and retired officers and officers, as well as representatives of Local Government and bodies. Contractors of the four new Coastal patrols are: Milena Kondou ( Galanis), Maria Gialopsou ( Gialopsos), Maria Skaramaggou ( Liaskos) and Panormite Black ( Manduvalos). ADVERSE Contractors of the four new Coastal patrols are: the Olympic champion of rowing from Lesvos island Mr. Milena Kontou, the sister of the hero Chief Officer Hector Gialopsou Mr. Maria Gialopsou, the primary student of the Gymnas High School of Fournes as well as the great-granddaughter of hero Nicholas Mauni, who fell heroically in October 1944 when N/A “KOS” was hit by a mine, Mr. Maria Scaramagou and the largest of the two students of the school of Pserimos, the young Panormite Black . “It is a great joy for me but also gives me a sense of honor and pride my presence today at the naming ceremony of the four island-type vessels. The patrol vessels “Manduvalos”, “Galanis”, “Liascos” and “Yalopsos”. As the Navy Chief previously said, choosing names is interwoven with the history of our Navy and pays tribute to our officials who died. They sacrificed their lives defending our homeland. Petty Officer John Manduvalo, who was lost during the torpedoing of HELLI in Tinos, on 15 August 1940. Petty Officer George Galanis, who died in ADRIA, on 22 October 1943. Lieutenant Antonis Liasco, who lost his life during the sinking of our Destroyer (A/T) QUESILISSA OLGA in Leros, September 1943. And Chief Petty Officer Hector Yalopsos, who fell to Imia on January 31, 1996. GR. TYPE OF PERSON Today, these four patrol cars, with the historical memories that because of their name accompany them, join the Fleet, replacing existing means, as predicted by the “Agenta 2030”. This membership continues to strengthen our Navy. But I would like you to allow me to mention in addition to the aid and the different approach. That is, to change our doctrine. Because our Navy, of the new era, will go beyond its capabilities, the simple protection of the Aegean Sea and will gain potential for development in the wider Eastern Mediterranean, possibly beyond it. First, with the new frigates, Belharra, which, as I have said before, will also carry strategic weapons. GR. TYPE OF PERSON Because, ladies and gentlemen, the Exclusive Economic Zones (AEZs), whose creation conditions bear my signature and the stamp of the Mitsotakis Government, in particular the agreement with Egypt, require the possibility of protecting them on the field, on those marine zones. The Aegean, which is most useful for Hellenism, will now be protected by the anti-aircraft, and by the anti-drone, and by the anti-missile dome. Not only by the Navy and the Greek Air Force. These weapons systems, which have been integrated into the Twelve-year Long-term Defence Expenditure Programme, which soon after the dates are given by the Hellenic Parliament, will be presented to the relevant Parliament Committee for the first time. It is a programme within the narrow, – I must say – financial framework, which economic reality imposes upon us. GR. TYPE OF PERSON The Twelve include innovative programmes and modernisation programmes. But the idea behind the Dodeca is to leverage resources for the development of the ecosystem of Greek companies involved in Defence. For the Greek Navy these programs are the modernization of the MEKOs, the RUSSENs, our submarines, which must be launched immediately. The participation of the Greek agent will also apply to the next type of our frigates, but also to the next type of submarines. But the situation has already changed. We proceed through the Greek Centre for Defence Innovation (ELKAK) with low-cost but high-value programs and with great leverage capabilities. And I’m talking about autonomously moving at sea, autonomously moving under the sea, encrypted command and control communications systems, cyberwar systems. GR. We already have a great success, which I am allowed to advertise. I am referring to the ‘Centaurus’ system, which has now given samples in real combat conditions. But here, too, I must be honest with you, no matter how innovative these approaches are, they are not potential choices of this Government. These encounters are the late children of need. The need for our national survival. Because this is the stake and that is why we need the conscription of the whole political world and of Greek society behind this effort. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m telling you the obvious. The sovereignty of our seas is also a condition for the survival of Hellenism. And from ancient times until today, here in Salamina the place voa for this antiquity. The shipping of the Greeks has been a pillar of our national identity, our national DNA, and our survival. GR. We live in times of instability. I have repeatedly said the last times I had a public reason that instability is the new constant. That is why it is imperative to strengthen our Armed Forces so that they can meet these new challenges. Our reform agenda, “Agenta 2030″ predicts a modern and powerful Navy. The most modern and most powerful in Greek history, which will defend sovereignty, our sovereign rights, our geographical area, the European borders. The vessels in front of us are ships bearing names that also make them part of our single national narrative, our common time reference, the basic root of unity of the Greek people and the Greek nation. These ships will project our blue and white flag, carry out their mission, and I wish St. Nicholas would protect them.”